Thanks Captain B, I need all the help I can get.

Yes, I tried to use Google Earth, but my pc only has 128M memory, and
they reccommend 256 minimum, I think. I'm holding off until next year
when the 64 bit machines with MS Vista come out, and then plan to get 4
gigs of memory, which I hope will carry me another 5 years. I really
think I'll like the Google Earth stuff more, and they seem to be using
XML much more than MSN, which I need to learn more about, but I like
what I've played with in XML so far. As you can imagine, MUCH much
more can be done with the Vir Voyagers, but I'd rather not have to slow
them down with database access, which is where XML may help...I think.
I just hope that with the new 64 bit operating systems, the client
side code size limits increase greatly, to support larger javascript
arrays, XML, etc., and database access may not be needed. I don't
have the money to put into anything fancy like Coldfusion & SQL, altho
I've coded in it and it's great, so if db's are needed, it'll be PHP +
MySQL. If MS Access comes with Vista (at no extra charge), I've coded
in it and Visual Basic (VB3) many years ago, and if Visual Basic comes
for free (no extra charge) I'd consider going to VB & Access.

Microsoft seems to think all programmers are wealthy enough to just run
out and buy the latest software updates they come up with, but I can
tell you, IT AIN't SO.......my wife and I make less than 1/3 of what I
did make before retiring, and freebie software is all I can use.

Thanks again for your input, there are so many things to take your time
these days, its hard to get anyone to actually go thru a newbie
website.
musseler

Captain B wrote:
musseler wrote:
Hi,

I just joined your group, and would like to contribute in a meaningful
way, to those who travel on the Inland Waterways of the U.S., whether
under power or sail. As a retired mainframe programmer, I like to
fool around with new software stuff on the web. Need people who have
the time, and the knowledge, like you guys, to check my personal
website out, at least the "Virtual Voyager" part of it, and give it a
"yeh" or "nay" as you wish. Suggestions for
changes,...usefulness,......whatever, I know I'm setting myself up for
some interesting comments here!!


Help an old dude out .... my sailing days are numbered:


http://home.bellsouth.net/personalpages/PWP-davjun
Blue Heron's Nest


Thanks guys & gals, and I'll do the same for you


Musseler ( yeh, I really was a clammer)

Muesseler,

I think you have done a nice job putting together your website. You are
simply trying to put together information for people to share and learn
from. I myself have put together a website, and the biggest rule that I
always tell people that I work with is, you have to assume that all who
visit your site; the last thing they want to do is think. make things
as intuitive as possible...believe me, its not the easiest thing to do.
But you have done a nice job with your left hand navigation menu. You
can get to the "meat" of the site most of the time within two clicks.

One suggestion I have is to spruce up your homepage, throw a little
color in, possibly a picture or two. Your homepage is your landing page
and studies show that you less than a second to capture the attention
of a passer through.

Nice job overall though, if you would like to talk more, I would be
happy to. I think you have a nice idea with you virtual voyager, have
you played around with Google Earth??

Best,
Brandon

www.boatersbasement.com